Loafiesta 5

Loafiesta 5 is the fifth edition of Loafiesta, the national selection process used to choose the Loafousian entry for Maia Song Contest 17. The edition was confirmed on 12th March 2018, after being previously rumoured prior to Ninet Tayeb's victory in Maia Song Contest 16 with her song "Elinor". It was believed that the selection had then been cancelled due to this victory but was confirmed and all songs were presented, as well as a recap, on this day. Twelve entries will be competing for the right to represent Loafousia on home soil.

Competing artists
Black Honey are an indie rock band consisting izzy Baxter, Chris Ostler, Tommy Taylor and Tom Dewhurst. They performed the song "Hello Today" and came in 10th place with 40 points, receiving no 12s, 10s or 8s, but 7s from Leodia and Braissash. "Tomorrow's new, God and Buddha love me too."

Ana Malhoa is a singer-songwriter, TV host, actress and businessman whose music career began in 1985 at just 6 years old. She performed the song "Ampulheta" ("Hourglass"), the first Portuguese language song to appear in Loafiesta, and finished in 9th place with 47 points, receiving 10 points from Valeria and 8 points from São Rico. "I'm going to burn your firewood, come on, you know the password."

Weaves are an indie pop band consisting of vocalist Jasmyn Burke, guitarist Morgan Waters, drummer Spencer Cole and bassist Zach Bines. They performed the song "Scream", alongside popular Loafousian throat singer Tanya Tagaq, and finished in 6th place with 53 points, receiving 12 points from Braissash, 10 points from Lussantia and 8 points from Izola. "My thighs are too big, my head isn't small, my brain is on fire."

Bobi Andonov is a singer, songwriter and producer who has performed since the age of six. He participated with the song "Apartment", and finished in 11th place with 39 points. He received 10 points from Perlamuhay. "Head underwater, keep holdin' me down, playin' with fire, please don't pull me out."

Riton, full name Henry Smithson, is an electronic music DJ and producer. He participated with "Rinse & Repeat", alongside Kah-Lo, an upcoming singer-songwriter in Loafousia, and came in 3rd place with 66 points. They received 12 points from Arkaystia and São Rico, 10 points from Leodia and 8 points from Perlamuhay. "This is not how I woke up, but it's how I look now."

Charlotte OC is a prominent name in the Loafousian music industry, having represented Loafousia in Maia Song Contest 5 and subsequently appearing in Loafiesta 1 and Loafiesta 4. For Loafiesta 5, she performed "Blackout", and came in 5th place with 56 points. She received 12 points from Lussantia and Valeria, and 8 points from Leodia. "'Cause I never wanted to be unfound, suddenly I am the stranger in town."

Blu Fiefer is a singer-songwriter and producer. She performed the song "Jukebox", which came in 12th place with 24 points. She received 8 points from Braissash. "I'm a jukebox, put a coin in me, I'm a jukebox, tell me what to sing."

Lady Essence is a redefining figure in the music industry and Maian society. With her song "Fluffy Gal Anthem", she came in 8th place with 49 points, but ended global fatshaming in her heroic process. She received 10 points from Qualton and D'unelaleh, and 8 points from Lussantia. "FLUFFY GAL ANTHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM."

Anteros are a dream-pop band made up of Laura Hayden, Joshua Rumble, Jackson Couzens and Harry Balazs. They competed with the song "Breakfast", which despite only finishing in 7th place with 53 points, became one of the biggest hits to emerge from the selection. They received 12 points from Perlamuhay, and 8 points from Loafousia, Valeria and Qualton. "It's not that you are boring, it's just I'm bored of talking for tonight."

Bonzai, now known as Cosha, born Cassia O'Reilly, is a Loafousian-Arkaystian singer-songwriter, who previously represented Loafousia in Maia Song Contest 13 with "I Feel Alright". Here, she performed "I Did", and came in 4th place with 64 points. She received 12 points from D'unelaleh, 10 points from Izola and Braissash, and 8 points from Arkaystia. "You're jealous, rightly so, I used to care but no."

Gabrielle Aplin is arguably the most popular artist in Loafousia, with numerous songs hitting number 1 in the charts. She previously tried to represent Loafousia through Loafiesta 3 with the song "Home", but lost out. Here, she performed the song "Salvation", and won the selection with 75 points, scoring 12 points from Loafousia, Leodia and Qualton, and 8 points from D'unelaleh. "Glorious we transcend, into a psychedelic silhouette."

MINA has tried to represent Loafousia on numerous occasions, participating in Loafiesta 3, Loafiesta 4 and now Loafiesta 5, each time performing "Niña Mala" in a hope to appeal to the voters. She came in 2nd place, receiving 72 points, including 12 points from Izola, and 10 points from Loafousia, Arkaystia and São Rico. "A bad girl is what I am."

Final
The final will take place in Tiknik Arena.

Playlist can be found here. Recap can be found here.